All Blacks Legend Frank Bunce: Jonah, Laurie Mains & The Truth About '95

All Blacks Legend Frank Bunce: Jonah, Laurie Mains & The Truth About '95

From The Dom Harvey Podcast by Dom Harvey

May 10, 2026 · 2h 18m

About this episode

Frank Bunce shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming an All Blacks legend, discussing both his rugby career and personal life experiences.

Frank Bunce is regarded as one of the great All Black Centres of all time.  He first got selected when he was 30 and went on to play 55 tests, including a rugby world cup final. At the time of recording this episode Frank was on TV in New Zealand on the reality show “Celebrity Treasure Island” so we discuss why, at the age of 64, he agreed to do it. Thanks to the team at TVNZ for helping set this conversation up. I don’t think Buncey has ever spoken this openly or at this length ever before which makes this episode pretty special. We talk about Franks journey from growing up in South Auckland with 7 siblings and working on the back of a rubbish truck to the world stage, representing both Samoa and the All Blacks and being part of the transformational shift from amateur rugby to the professional era. There are some incredible rugby stories here- including his very special relationship with Jonah Lomu and Eric Rush and his love-hate relationship with coach Laurie Mains. But this episode goes far beyond sport. Frank opens up about aging, identity, fatherhood, friendship, grief, retirement, and the emotional challenges that come when elite sport suddenly disappears…

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Host: Dom Harvey

Guest: Frank Bunce

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Organizations: TVNZ

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